big

i realized that i'd not shot anything human with the 50mm after i'd uploaded scads of photos i'd taken of all my nieces at Christmas. more than half of the pics had the focus on ears, or a nose, instead of the bit i'd intended to focus on. like, um... eyes.

also, i saw Ashley's forays into close up self portraits with interesting crops and i wanted to steal her ideas. sort of.

so i decided to take several hundred, arms length photos of parts of my face to get more comfortable with the 50mm lens and proper focus on human faces. it was more miss than hit and i'll definitely need loads more practice, and probably a subject other than myself, but i do like some, regardless.

so, this Editors song, in the new weekly list in Musically Challenged, has fuck all to do with this photo. but Editors are one of my favorite bands right now and this particular song has been in my tops for ages, it seems.

_______________

"All Sparks," by Editors (live at Glasto)

You're answering questions that have not yet been asked

All sparks will burn out in the end

--------------

i must pay tribute - and totally show off the brilliance - of some of the Best Flickr Friends Ever. they copycatted this photo of mine and not only am i super flattered, but i'm soooo loving seeing everyone's different interpretations!

if you want to have a go, please do! fun for everyone! Viva la Revolucion!!!

323/365

Super rad bus I found last night, right on the side of the road. I went back this morning a little before 7 because I knew it wasn't going to be there long. And nope, I brought my son back by around 9:30 and sure enough, it was gone.

Musically Challenged - Dig For Fire

"...there is this old man

who spent so much of his life sleeping

that he is able to keep awake for the rest of his years

he resides

on a beach

in a town

where i am going to live

and i often ask him

"are you looking for the mother lode?"

huh?

no.

no my child, this is not my desire

and then he said

i'm digging for fire..."

-Pixies

Two weeks in NOLA for the mardi gras 2017

Founded in 1993, the Krewe of Orpheus takes its name from the musically-inclined son of Zeus and Calliope. Founding members included Harry Connick, both the junior and senior.

In New Orleans, the krewe established themselves as a superkrewe with their first parade in 1994, which rolled with 700 riders. They were the first super Krewe to allow both male and female riders.

The Krewe's throws include a number of popular items including emblem beads, stuffed animals, signature beads, light-up Orpheus medallion beads, cups, three different types of doubloons, and 4-foot-long stuffed dragons.

They have a number of notable floats including the Dolly Trolley, the horse-drawn bus that was used in the opening of Hello Dolly with Barbra Streisand, the Smoking Mary which is a six unit float that looks like a steam locomotive, a Trojan horse and the Orpheus Leviathan Float, which is a three unit, 139-foot float, and the first Carnival float to use extensive fiber optic lighting.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Fats Domino wass the honorary grand marshall for 2014. His eldest son, Antoine Domino III, rode in the parade and perform his 85 year old father's music.

In addition to Fats Domino, Quentin Tarantino reigned as the krewe's celebrity monarch.

There are my 3 musically inspired girls in my family, Floyd, Billy & Trent.

You don't have to feel like a waste of space

You're original, cannot be replaced

If you only knew what the future holds

After a hurricane comes a rainbow

You just gotta ignite, the light, and let it shine

- Katy Perry, Firework

Had one of my prints on the front page of etsy today and in the etsy newsletter too. :) Joel says I'm "etsy famous." Hopefully that will lead to more sales so I can cover the cost of the prints I'm making for the Ann Arbor Art Fair. :)

Shannon asked me the other day whether I thought it was possible that my choice to set an alarm every day and start working on my book like it was my job during the time when my "real job" was at a standstill and producing no work or income for me might be what led to the successes that seem to be starting to trickle my way now. I think the answer is yes. I could very easily have let myself slip into another bout of depression, not left the house, and felt like a failure. Instead, I focused on what I could control. I started aggressively chasing dreams that I've been sitting on for a while. As a result, I'm pulling in some real income from my photography now and I have 228 pages of my book written and ideas for at least two more. I'm going on a road trip out to Maine to spend almost a week in the town that is the setting for my book so that I can hopefully finish the story and add some vital details that really make the town come to life for my readers. My "real job" is starting to fire back up, so when I get home I'll have actual work to do. I'm also going to be showing my photography during the Ann Arbor Art Fair and for who knows how many more weekend/week events after that. I never thought that half of that was possible.

Maybe I didn't go about it the traditional way. Maybe there were some that scoffed at my choice to write when I did. But from where I'm standing now, I can only see the benefits of following my heart. I may not be in a 100% financially stable situation yet...but I know I'm on my way. And I'll get there eventually. And I don't think I would have been able to say that with such confidence if I hadn't started working on my book when I did. And I certainly wouldn't feel as sure of myself as I do now.

etsy

Musically Challenged: Katy Perry - Firework

And it starts...

sometime around midnight

or at least that's when

you lose yourself

for a minute or two

that she's watching...

The Airborne Toxic Event - Sometime around Midnight

I knew I was going to post late, and when i saw this song, i knew i had to do it. PLUS i love love love the lyrics!!!

in truth that's a yellow dress, but i was too lazy to find my white one. :)

today was good, somewhat, worked on a new flash website layout, i hope it looks decent i just want to hire someone. *pout*

anyways i called my aunt. we made up. life's too short to hate each other.. blehhh plus, after a week of cooling down. i saw her point. (i hate that....)

so far im doing okay. we'll see tomorrow how to vet visit goes. it's at 930am, wish me well. I know whatever we decided, Bear will be finally happy going over rainbow bridge. :/

project 365: day 243

Musically Challenged

decluttr

Oh crap...that was yesterday, wasn't it :-(

I watched me sons final baseball game of the year on my way home from work and remembered I needed a 52 weeks shot for this week. So after the game I went over to the bleachers, plopped down and snapped this one. 5 minutes to get the shot, 5 minutes in PP, I love easy shots like this.

Now if only that Detroit t-shirt Vic sent me had arrived already, then this could have been something special :-(

Musically Challenged

Miles Davis's - Walkin

(18 of 52)²

Cyndi Lauper coasters

Stevie Nicks sun catcher

Jimmy Hendrix book

Psychedelic Kitty bookmark

Tom Petty keychain

Peace necklace

White Stipes t-shirt

Elton John little people set

Heart decoration

Day 126/365

For Musically Challenged :)

Get Here - by Oleta Adams

Listen

Lyrics

1813 T St. NW

Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (April 29, 1899 – May 24, 1974), also known simply as Duke, was an American jazz composer, pianist, and bandleader.

Many regard Duke Ellington as the most important figure to emerge from the U.S. jazz scene in the twentieth century, although Ellington himself might have quibbled with the description, as he was reluctant to describe his work as anything more specific than "music". The word "jazz" was too narrow for Ellington, a man whose greatest compliment was to describe others who had impressed him as "beyond category". Indeed, Ellington has proved to be enigmatic, slipping through the easy classifications of biographers. Musicians run into much the same kind of problem when dealing with Ellington's compositions. Musically, he wore many hats, and he could never settle on just one. Through the ranks of Duke Ellington's Orchestra passed some of the biggest names in jazz, including Johnny Hodges, Cootie Williams, Bubber Miley, Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton, Barney Bigard, Ben Webster, Harry Carney, Sonny Greer, Otto Hardwick, Clark Terry, Jimmy Blanton, Ray Nance, Paul Gonsalves, and Wellman Braud.

Many of these musicians played in Ellington's orchestra for decades, and while most were noteworthy in their own right, it was Ellington's musical genius that melded them into one of the most well-known orchestral units in the history of jazz. Ellington and his band (in its various incarnations) were prolific.

Ellington was one of the twentieth century's best-known African-American celebrities. He recorded for many American record companies, and appeared in several films. Ellington and his orchestra toured the whole of the United States and Europe regularly before World War II. After the war, they continued to travel widely internationally.

Duke's father, James Edward Ellington, born in Lincolnton, North Carolina on April 15, 1879, was the son of a former slave. He moved to Washington, D.C. in 1886 with his family. Ellington was born to J.E. and Daisy Kennedy Ellington at 2129 Ward Place NW (the home of his maternal grandparents) in Washington. J.E. made blueprints for the United States Navy; he also worked as a White House butler for additional income. Daisy and J.E. were both piano players, and at the age of seven or eight Ellington began taking piano lessons from a Mrs. Clinkscales who lived at 1212 Street NW (the address erroneously, but commonly, given as his childhood home). In his autobiography, Ellington claims he missed more lessons than he went to, feeling that the piano was not his talent. Over time, this would change. Ellington snuck into Frank Holiday's Poolroom at fourteen and began to gain a greater respect for music. Hearing a mentor play the piano ignited Ellington's love for the instrument and he began to take his piano studies seriously. He began performing professionally at the age of seventeen. Instead of going to an academic-oriented high school, he attended Armstrong Manual Training School to study commercial art. Three months before he was to graduate, he left school to pursue his interest in the piano.

Duke Ellington began his artistic career as a sign painter in Washington, D.C., but by 1923 he had formed a small dance band known as The Washingtonians (which included drummer Sonny Greer), and moved to New York City. Shortly thereafter, the group became the house band of the Club Kentucky (often referred to as the "Kentucky Club"), an engagement which set the stage for the biggest opportunity in Ellington's life. In 1927, King Oliver turned down a job as the house band for Harlem's famed Cotton Club, and the offer fell into Ellington's lap. With a weekly radio broadcast and famous clientele pouring in nightly to see them, Ellington's popularity skyrocketed.

Ellington's band had become a large orchestra and the ranks had been filled by many men who would later become famous in their own right. Trumpeter Bubber Miley was the first major soloist, an early experimenter in jazz trumpet growling. Miley is credited with morphing the band's style from rigid dance instrumentation to a more "New Orleans" or earthy style. An alcoholic, Miley had to leave the band before they gained wider notoriety, and died in 1930 at the age of twenty-eight. Johnny Hodges joined the orchestra in 1928 and stayed until his death in 1970, except for two brief sabbaticals. Hodges became the band's undisputed superstar soloist, the king of romantic alto saxophone ballads with his swooning, creamy style remaining influential for years. Barney Bigard, formerly a member of King Oliver's band, was a master of New Orleans jazz clarinet and stayed with the band for twelve years. Harry Carney was one of the original innovators of the baritone saxophone, winning each Downbeat magazine poll until the arrival of Gerry Mulligan. Carney, who also pioneered circular breathing, was the longest lasting member of the orchestra, joining in 1927 and remaining with the group until his death in 1974 (just several months after Ellington's). Lawrence Brown brought a buttery, elegant trombone style that conflicted with that of Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton, who was the originator of many unique trombone stylings, most notably the plunger mute technique. Filling out the rhythm section were Ellington's childhood friend Sonny Greer, who stayed with the unit until 1950, and guitarist Fred Guy.

The 1930s saw Ellington's popularity continue to increase, greatly due to the wheeling and dealing of Duke's manager Irving Mills, who got more than his fair share of co-composer credits out of the deal. While their United States audience remained mostly African-American in this period, a 1934 trip to Europe showed that the band had a huge following overseas. At home, meanwhile, Mills arranged a private train just for the band, so that they would not have to suffer the indignities of segregated accommodations while touring the South.

The band reached a creative peak in the early 1940s, when Ellington wrote for an orchestra of distinctive voices and displayed tremendous creativity. Some of the musicians created a sensation in their own right. The short-lived Jimmy Blanton transformed the use of the double bass in jazz, allowing it to function as a solo rather than a rhythm instrument alone. Ben Webster too, the Orchestra's first regular tenor saxophonist, started a rivalry with Johnny Hodges as the Orchestra's foremost voice in the sax section. Ray Nance joined in, replacing Cootie Williams who had "defected", contemporary wags claimed, to Benny Goodman. Nance, however, added violin to the instrumental colours Ellington had at his disposal. A recording of Nance's first concert date, at Fargo, North Dakota, in November 1940, is probably the most effective display of the band at the peak of its powers during this period.

Three-minute masterpieces flowed from the minds of Ellington, Billy Strayhorn (from 1939), Duke's son Mercer Ellington, and members of the Orchestra. "Cottontail", "Mainstem", "Harlem Airshaft", "Streets of New York" and dozens of others date from this period.

Ellington's long-term aim became to extend the jazz form from the three-minute limit of the 78 rpm record side, of which he was an acknowledged master. He had composed and recorded "Creole Rhapsody" as early as 1931, but it was not until the 1940s that this became a regular feature of Ellington's work. In this, he was helped by Strayhorn, who had enjoyed a more thorough training in the forms associated with classical music than Ellington himself. The first of these, "Black, Brown, and Beige" (1943), was dedicated to telling the story of African-Americans, the place of slavery, and the church in their history. Unfortunately, starting a regular pattern, Ellington's longer works were not well received; "Jump for Joy," an earlier musical, closed after only six performances in 1941.

In 1951, Ellington suffered a major loss of personnel, with Sonny Greer, Lawrence Brown, and most significantly, Johnny Hodges leaving to pursue other ventures.

Ellington's appearance at the Newport Jazz Festival on July 7, 1956, was to return him to wider prominence. The feature "Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue", with saxophonist Paul Gonsalves's six-minute saxophone solo, had been in the band's book for a while, but on this occasion it nearly created a riot. The revived attention should not have surprised anyone — Hodges had returned to the fold the previous year, and Ellington's collaboration with Strayhorn had been renewed around the same time, under terms which the younger man could accept. "Such Sweet Thunder" (1957), based on Shakespeare's plays and characters, and "The Queen's Suite" the following year (dedicated to Queen Elizabeth II), were products of the renewed impetus which the Newport appearance had helped to create.

The late 1950s also saw Ella Fitzgerald record her Duke Ellington Songbook with Ellington and his orchestra, a clear recognition that Ellington's songs had now become part of the cultural canon known as the "Great American Songbook".

In the early 1960s, Ellington was between recording contracts, which allowed him to record with a variety of new artists. In 1962, he participated in a session which produced the "Money Jungle" (United Artists) album with Charles Mingus and Max Roach, and recorded with John Coltrane for Impulse, who also recorded Ellington and his Orchestra with Coleman Hawkins. Musicians who had previously worked with Ellington returned to the Orchestra as members: Lawrence Brown in 1960 and Cootie Williams two years later.

Ellington was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in 1965, but was turned down. His reaction: "Fate is being kind to me. Fate doesn't want me to be famous too young". In 1966, he performed his first "Sacred Concert", an attempt at fusing Christian liturgy with jazz, which was followed by two others. This caused enormous controversy in what was already a tumultuous time in the United States. Many saw the Sacred Music suites as an attempt to reinforce commercial support for organized religion, though the Duke simply said it was "the most important thing I've done", perhaps with a touch of hyperbole.

Though his later work is overshadowed by his music of the early 1940s, for some critics such as (controversially) James Lincoln Collier, Ellington continued to make vital and innovative recordings, including "The Far East Suite" (1966), "The New Orleans Suite" (1970), and "The Afro-Eurasian Eclipse" (1971), until the end of his life. Increasingly, this period of music is being reassessed as people realise how creative Ellington was right up to the end of his life. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1969, and the Legion of Honor by France in 1973, the highest civilian honors in each country.

Duke Ellington died of lung cancer and pneumonia on May 24, 1974, and was interred in the Woodlawn Cemetery, The Bronx, New York City.

Ellington's film work began in 1929, starting with the short film Black and Tan. He also appeared in the film Check and Double Check. It was a major hit and helped introduce Ellington to a wide audience. He and his Orchestra continued to appear in films throughout the 1930s and 1940s, both in short films and in features such as Murder at the Vanities (1934). In the late 1950s, his work in films took the shape of scoring for soundtracks, notably Anatomy of a Murder (1959), with James Stewart, in which he also appeared as a bandleader, and Paris Blues (1961), which featured Paul Newman and Sidney Poitier as jazz musicians.

A long-time fan of William Shakespeare, he wrote an original score for Timon of Athens that was first used in the Stratford Festival production that opened July 29, 1963 for director Michael Langham, who has used it for several subsequent productions, most recently in an adaptation by Stanley Silverman that expands on the score with some of Ellington's best-known works.

A large memorial to Duke Ellington, created by sculptor Robert Graham, was dedicated in 1997 in New York's Central Park, near Fifth Avenue and 110th Street, an intersection named Duke Ellington Circle. In his birthplace of Washington, D.C., there stands a school dedicated to his honor and memory: the Duke Ellington School of the Arts. The school educates talented students, who are considering careers in the arts, by providing intensive arts instruction and strong academic programs that prepare students for post-secondary education and professional careers. The Duke Ellington Ballroom, located on the Northern Illinois University Campus, was dedicated in 1980. Although he made two more stage appearances before his death, what is considered Ellington's final "full" concert was performed there March 20, 1974.

The Ellington Orchestra itself continued intermittently as a "ghost band", led by Mercer Ellington (1919–1996), after his father's death.

- David Bowie, Life On Mars?

The first thing I thought of when I put the neclace on was Queen Elizabeth. Strange, but true. So I had to fiddle with it and pay homage to the style that inspired me. In kind of modern take on classic. :)

**Explored**

Musically Challenged: Life on Mars? - David Bowie

TOTW: Inspired

For Guitar World group: "Pictures of you with your guitar."

Also, I've been tagged by my delightful friend Jane, "Jainbow," to come up with a list of ten albums/artists that have cranked my bait musically; here is her list, and tag:

www.flickr.com/photos/jainbow/5157630802/

I don't know that this is my all-time top ten list, but at the moment it's probably pretty close.

When I listen to music and I find something that inspires me, makes me feel good, or assuages some momentary pain I'm experiencing in my life, I tend to play those albums to dirt...forever!

With that in mind, here, in no particular order, are the artists/albums that do it for me the most:

Enya -everything she does! Although I'm a veteran headbanger I love New Age atmospheric music, and the first time I heard Enya I thought I had died and gone to heaven! Her music touches me and soothes my soul like little else does.

Liz Story – “Solid Colors” - I love everything Liz Story does, but this is probably my favorite album. Story was inspired by Bill Evans, and she's probably the best New Age pianist out there, and actually may be one of the best pianists, period. When I listen to her music I feel like I'm getting a peek into a fantasyland. "Peace Piece" from this album is astonishing.

Guns N’ Roses – “Appetite for Destruction” - For me, and lots of other people as well, Guns changed the musical scene forever at a time when it desperately needed changing. This is the ultimate "drink yourself blind and hop on your motorcycle" album, and it never fails to inspire me and get my blood to pumping in good ways.

Smashing Pumpkins – “Siamese Dream” - For me this was their best album. I'll probably catch flak for that, but...if you can listen to "Soma" and not be irrationally moved and perhaps even feel like you're at a seance watching spirits appear, then something's wrong! (Good lovemaking song, too!)

Candlebox – Self-titled album - This album is just so much damn fun that it makes me feel good every single time I listen to it! It's masterful in many ways, and deserves much close listening.

Stanley Jordan – everything he does - Holy god...I got to see him in concert. It was an intimate jazz venue and my table was perhaps 15 or 20 feet away from him. I don't know that I have words sufficient to praise this god of the guitar. He blasted out a 17-minute long rendition of "Eleanor Rigby" that left everyone's mouths hanging open! After his performance people regarded him with reverential awe.

Dave Brubeck – the quintessential album: “Time Out” - "Take Five;" 'nuff said!

Deborah Henson-Conant – “On The Rise” - Ever hear jazz/New Age harp? Gotta treat yourself to this album!! It's out of print but sometimes you can find some on eBay. I have out of body experiences listening to this album!

Robert Johnson – the boxed set - Robert Johnson, the man who nearly everybody credits for everything from rock to rap...his style and influence can be traced through it all. Probably one of the most original and unique talents ever to hit this planet musically. I literally get goosebumps listening to this man sing and play.

Juliana Hatfield – “Only Everything” - Rock and roll, bitches!! LOL

All of these artists/albums have touched me, moved me, comforted me, inspired me, lifted me up...and I return to them again and again and again. They never get old to me and I consider them timeless.

(Now, I'm gonna run go tag my buddy Alex, then Dwayne...then...YOU! Tag, you're next!)

companion piece to this.

i like this too much to just leave it in a comment! it would be infinitely better if i wasn't holding the damn camera, but i love the wicked, warped reflections. :)

I recently met with Sean Hudson former promoter of the Army & Navy music venue in Chelmsford.

What sort of pupil were you at Boswells

I did not care very much for school, I was absent towards the end of the fourth year onwards. I never really cared much for rules etc, my uniform consisted of black trousers, Doc Martins, silk black shirt and an American baseball jacket! (this was the 80s). I sat one exam. I have an older sister who influenced me very much musically as she was very into her music and I have two younger brothers. All my family still reside in Chelmsford.

Q What sort of bands were you seeing before you music promoting days.

Punk really, never saw any other bands as I was at that point pretty blind to other genres. I have always liked rock & heavy metal though.

Q What sort of albums did you have in your collection in your youth.

Surprise, surprise, punk & skinhead music. I was a massive Oi! fan (still am ) and the first record I bought (in 1981) was The Sex Pistols 'God save The Queen' and my second was The Exploited 'Dead Cities'. Although I have to admit to being a big Adam Ant fan and a closet Gary Numan fan!

Q What did you do when you left school and how and when did you become a music promoter

When I left school I joined a travelling fair but soon came back and became a tyre fitter. I did this for a year before going off the rails for two years, in and out of various jobs and many a run in with the police. In 1990 I started work at the Little Chef in Widford and stayed there for two years. It was at this time ( or slightly before ) I had been doing mail order records which led me into doing a punk/Oi! fanzine called Welcome To The Real World which ran for 5 issues and was distributed all over the world. I also did a little bit of writing for Metal Hammer magazine who were doing a punk section. Whilst doing this I got to interview all my heroes such as Cock Sparrer, Glen Matlock, Sham 69, The Last Resort, Splodge and also met some great people. I remember interviewing Ronnie Thomas from the Heavy Metal Kids and we went for a meal on Carnaby Street and I felt like I had met royalty. That was one of my best interviews but I could do so much better now.

I started going to the Stick of Rock in Bethnal Green that was run by Steve Bruce, the drummer with Cock Sparrer sometimes I stayed there for the weekend seeing all types of bands. I then thought to myself why was I here in London when I could promote a venue in Chelmsford and bring the bands to the towns so I set to work on achieving this goal. This was 1992 and I originally booked Chelmsford’s YMCA for a Heavy Metal Kids, show with their new singer 'Dave Demarco, gig for December 11th 1992 but switched to the A&N and the rest is history! In fact the first band I booked was a Psychobilly band called the Klingonz about 140 turned up for this gig. Previous to this the so called Kings of Psychobilly The Meteors had played the venue.

Q Can you tells more about the early days and the Army and Navy became a major venue on the music scene.

The Landlord of the Army & Navy was Martin, at first myself and John Dunn were allocated two nights a week to promote new acts to the venue. I remember booking Glen Matlock a former member of the Sex Pistols the fee was £250.00 and only 120 turned up and we lost money on that gig. Admission was £2.50. He told me the Sex Pistols would never reform! We also booked many other Punk bands including UK Subs, The Exploited, 999, Peter & The Test Tube Babies, The Anti Nowhere League, Splodge etc etc

John Dunn was the former promoter at the Y Club but now we were working together and our 2 nights a week at the A&N had now been increased to include an Indie night on a Thursday. And soon we were booking alternate Fridays and Saturdays and later Mondays & Tuesdays.

Q I understand you booked in Oasis

No, I didnt, John Dunn did. I turned them down to headline an alldayer. Oasis were booked in 1994 and we sold 350 tickets in advance of the show, the official capacity of the venue was 260. Oasis had just released their first singl and by the time they played it had just gone into the UK charts. The support were called 'Elemental Child' there was another band that night but I cannot remember their name, I remember the Gallagher brothers having a massive water fight in the corridor and back room before the gig. So to put pay to all bullshit rumours, 350 turned up, it was sold out in advance and they never played more than once. According to Chelmsford folk lore, there was 20,000 people there on the night!

Around this time we had booked in Canadian band Moist and Scandinavian rockers Clawfinger, in 1995 John had left the A&N and I was booking all the bands myself. Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Wednesday and Sunday night were designated as gay evenings that proved to be very successful. ( The gay nights actually kept the venue afloat) We also booked tribute bands and I remember putting the Australian Pink Floyd on, one of their first gigs in the UK. I also booked them in Southend and it was a joint promotion. The promoters pulled out a week before because they had no confidence and on the day the pier caught fire but the gig sold out and I made a fortune. They are stadium fillers now all over the world!

Q When did the Brewery first try close the A&N down.

The Brewery wanted to close the Pub in 95 and John went to the Y Club, but a campaign was launched to save the now famous venue. A petition of 6500 names signed and together with the help of the Chelmsford Yellow Advertiser newspaper who headlined the fight, the Venue was saved for now.

What other big name bands did you book in from 1995

Just to name a few Kula Shaker, Sterophonics, Headswim, Super Furry Animals, Idlewild, Elastica, Longpigs,Wishbone Ash, Feeder, Garp, Sleeper, The Mission, and Dogs D' Amour. Midge Ure, In fact the V festival had started in 1994 and a lot of the acts that played here went on to headline or be a major attractions in future festivals at Hylands Park.

In 1999 Martin the landlord left the Army & Navy and I took over the whole venue, that by now was well established, this was a busy time. I had booked in such local bands as The Filaments, The Big, Ac Slater, Thaed, Tellercreep, ISM and created a scene with these bands. The last 18 months of the Navy was the busiest and the local scene was at its best since 1993 when we had great local bands like Garp, The Kites & Vybe Trybe. They were great times.

Q What was your personal best moment

My best moment was booking in my favourite band from Australia who played their first UK show here at the Army & Navy in 19 years, the band were called Rose Tattoo , the lead singer was called 'Angry Anderson' they had worked with AC/DC the sound was a heavy metal mix with blues and rock. There’s nothing like having your own personal favourite band play in your venue. There was lots of other moments but looking back, the A&N could never happen now, you would never get away with what we did, nor would a brewery let it happen. It never turned over fortunes for anyone.

I wanted to book Sham 69 but Jimmy Pursey refused to play here as he thought that Chelmsford was a Fascist town and his band may get targeted.

Q Did you book bands right across the music spectrum.

Yes we booked soul bands like Junior Jump who played a summer gig and a Christmas show every year, this band always attracted a full house, Ska bands included The Beat, Selecter, and Bad Manners, Reggae bands like Bush Fire and even Judge Dread. Psychobilly bands like the Meteors. Blues bands such as Nine Below Zero and Dr Feelgood. So as well as all the Rock, Indie, and Punk we did have a good mix of music. In 1992 we booked a four band real skinhead gig which included Argy Bargy, no venue at that time was touching such stuff. We tried comedy in the later years at the back of the venue and Tim Vine played there and we did accoustic nights in there as well with the likes of The Almightys Ricky Warwick and Jim Diamond ( remember Boon theme tune ) who played a blinder with Snake Davies. We did AOR ( Tyketto, Magnum etc) Folk metal ( Skyclad), tribute bands, thrash, death metal etc etc.

I remember reading in the local press about controversial bands, Rockbitch and Impotent Sea Snakes.

Rockbitch was a female Punk/Metal/Goth type band that were known for performing with their kit off and incorporating sexual acts into the show. The first time we booked them only about 50 people turned up, three of the girls went nude, they would throw out into the audience a condom and who ever caught it would be offered oral sex or more The next time we booked them word had got out about them and the local Edge Magazine ran with the headline “LOCK UP YOUR SONS, ROCK BITCH ARE IN TOWN” needless to say we had 500 turn up that night. We did book them for a third time and one of the female band members fell over on stage and twisted her ankle that night.

I then booked in a band called The Impotent Sea Snakes they were from Atlanta. America’s answer to Rockbitch. They are also known for sexually explicit performances and lyrics, the male member’s dressed in drag and the female wore next to nothing. The gig went well and I re-booked them and this time I made a huge banner that hung by the Army & Navy roundabout for all to see. The banner with American stars and stripes said “MOVE OVER ROCKBITCH THE YANKS ARE IN TOWN”. Things were going well I had sold 350 advanced tickets but unfortunately the day before the gig the Police turned up with two council officials. I was told if the show went ahead my licence could be in serious jeopardy, so after considering the situation the concert was cancelled.

Favourite memories

Lots!! Loads of late night drinking sessions with various bands, most memorable being Buster Bloodvessel from Bad Manners who told some great stories. Drinking with various ska faces and the drummer from the Specials telling me they would never reform. The band competitions bringing in huge audiences and big money. The infamous promoters diary which was my chance to sound off about what I really thought. I once said a tribute to Ian Dury called The Blox sounded like Chas & Dave building a shed! It wasnt a popular comment. It got serious hits on the website and I wish I still had it. Even the late Melody Maker magazine commented on it! Making Back To The Planet sell out and then touting our own tickets outside!!

Best shows

The Dogs D'amour were veery special to me for personal reasons. Reef were great and Skyclad were very captivating. There was too many really, ten years on my memory is a bit hazy. I still have the diaries from 1992 - 2002, there isnt much missed out of them.

Did any VIPs come to gigs here.

Yes Fergal Sharkey, Gary Numan, members from The Prodigy and Blur could often be seen in the audience and Reg Holdsworth!.

Your Worst Moment

My worst moment was when the Army & Navy closed in Oct 2002 to make way for a new sports bar called Arena Army & Navy. Our last gig was on the 20th October 2002, we had over 800 people turn up. Top of the bill that night was 'The Big” The gig ended a bit sadly really with the entire place getting trashed. Bit sad really and I never got my head around it.

What did you do after the A&N

I brought Colchesters Twist and renamed it the Soundhouse. It was the worst move I ever made! I lost 90K and never got paid for the venue when I supposedly sold it. I nearly had a breakdown because I was going through court cases over trying to keep my licence. Chelmsford would have given their right arm for a venue like the Twist, Colchester never deserved it. I nearly did a year there and again booked some great acts like Snow Patrol etc but by January 2004 I had had the music knocked out of me. Whilst at the Twist, I was running fortnightly gigs at the Marconi club in Beehive Lane Chelmsford. These were stormers in terms of attendance, nearly 800 at each gig just with local bands! I was also involved with Chelmsfords Cave but was only being used for the licence! It was such a shame no venue could be found in Chelmsford full time. Marconis eventually stopped the gigs because of idiots trashing the place. So from Colchester I went onto Ilfords 'famous' music venue The Cauliflower. This venue stood for everything I hated about live music venues. It was full of tribute bands and cover bands just like the Twist was when I took it over but there was no point changing it. The venue and its crowd were so set in their ways. I had death threats from regular bands that played because I wanted to upgrade things etc. I was only a manager and didnt have to pay the bands as the brewery paid them. I tried a bit of alternative but it never really worked. I got sacked!!This was because I had thieving bar staff and I was loved up and the last three months I was hardly there. I deserved it. Believe it or not I do have a few good memories of the Cauliflower and there was some genuine people there. I did nearly a year there. I then went onto run 'normal' pubs before retiring in 2007. I dont miss pubs or running a live music venue.

What music do you listen to now and do you still go to live music gigs.

I still like to listen to range of music from AC/DC. Elvis to Johnny Cash. Also this year I will be attending the Rebellion Punk Festival in Blackpool.

Maurice Hyde

ift.tt/2i9A2J9

- Jimi Hendrix, Crosstown Traffic

Woo! Double-whammy! This is my submission for this week's emulation challenge in My Face is My Canvas AND for Musically Challenged. Lots of outtakes. I really liked how these turned out.

Andy and I are just relaxing in front of a blazing fire, watching football. It's been a lazy, wonderful weekend. Not looking forward to going back to work tomorrow. *le sigh*

**Explored**

365 Days (self portraits): Day 285

My Face is My Canvas: Emulation #17

Musically Challenged: JImi Hendrix - Crosstown Traffic

The Eagles~Witchy Woman

Raven hair and ruby lips

sparks fly from her finger tips

Echoed voices in the night

she's a restless spirit on an endless flight

wooo hooo witchy woman, see how

high she flies

woo hoo witchy woman she got

the moon in her eye

She held me spellbound in the night

dancing shadows and firelight

crazy laughter in another

room and she drove herself to madness

with a silver spoon

woo hoo witchy woman see how high she flies

woo hoo witchy woman she got the moon in her eye

Well I know you want a lover,

let me tell your brother, she's been sleeping

in the Devil's bed.

And there's some rumors going round

someone's underground

she can rock you in the nighttime

'til your skin turns red

woo hoo witchy woman

see how high she flies

woo hoo witchy woman

she got the moon in her eye

Day 163 Year 4 Musically Challenged

Wave of Mutilation -- Pixies

Cease to resist, giving my goodbye

drive my car into the ocean

you'll think i'm dead, but i sail away

on a wave of mutilation

a wave

wave

i've kissed mermaids, rode the el nino

walked the sand with the crustaceans

could find my way to mariana

on a wave of mutilation,

wave of mutilation

wave of mutilation

wave

wave of mutilation

wave

For The Rogue Players theme: Artist Self Portraits

A big HUGE honkin' congrats to Stacie on the completion of her 365 days. Way to go, girlie!!

You rock my socks. xoxoxo

No retreat, believe me, no surrender

- Bruce Springsteen, No Surrender

photo by me

procesing by the lovely bebelabree

I've always been a big fan of Bebe's warm, soft processing. I absolutely adore the way she processed this shot. When I did these, I processed them much cooler. Very different look and I love it! Thanks Bebe!

Me Through Your Eyes

Musically Challenged: Bruce Springsteen - No Surrender

come on and get your overdose

collect it at the borderline.

the high road is hard to find.

"The High Road" by Broken Bells

_______

Musically Challenged is easily one of the best ways to find new songs to obsess over. i am so damn smitten with this one and i'd not heard of Broken Bells before yesterday.

"You are what you love

and not what loves you back"

-Jenny Lewis, You Are What You Love

for Musically Challenged

Shannon picked some of my all-time favorites in Musically Challenged this week, and I must thank her, because I find music incredibly healing.

My aunt passed away last night. Thank you to everybody who commented yesterday. She's in a peaceful place now.

bigger and grungier

and now for MUSICALLY CHALLENGED !

those lyrics? in the title? love that line. so fucking clever.

i am a massive Arctic Monkeys fan. their lyrical style is GENIUS. the music, the melodies are brilliant. and Alex Turner - the lead singer- sings with one of my favorite dialects in the UK: a Sheffield accent. yum.

i've been mad about them for several years and finally get to see them live in just a few weeks. i can hardly sit still.

this song, "Fake Tales Of San Francisco" is easily one of my favorite songs. especially with the lyrics in the title, as well as "'Oh, you saved me', she screams down the line. 'the band were fucking wank and i'm not having a nice time'".

i have an odd predilection to specifically liking swear words in good songs. it's a bit childish, really, but i can't help it. and the fact that "fucking wank" is oh-so-British only makes me love it more.

(i'm such a sad, sad, little Anglophile. music, books, television, MUSIC. it's limitless and often i find myself admitting this in a downright sheepish manner)

regardless, this song is stellar. this band- their music, their lyrics - are stellar. oh, how i love love love them! (and i may or may not have a massive crush on Mr. Fucking Hot Alex Turner)

ps, the album on which you'll find this song? it's the overall fastest selling debut album in British history!

love.

______________

"Fake Tales Of San Francisco" by Arctic Monkeys.

Fake Tales of San Francisco

Echo through the room

More point to a wedding disco

Without a bride or groom

There's a super cool band yeah

With their trilbies and their glasses of white wine

And all the weekend rock stars in the toilets

Practising their lines

I don't want to hear you

(Kick me out, kick me out)

I don't want to hear you no

(Kick me out, kick me out)

I don't want to hear you no

(Kick me out, kick me out)

I don't want to hear you

I don't want to hear you

Fake Tales of San Francisco

Echo through the air

And there's a few bored faces in the back

All wishing they weren't there

And as the microphone squeaks

A young girl's telephone beeps

Yeah she's dashing for the exit

Oh, she's running to the streets outside

"Oh you've saved me," she screams down the line

"The band were fucking wank

And I'm not having a nice time"

I don't want to hear you

(Kick me out, kick me out)

I don't want to hear you no

(Kick me out, kick me out)

Yeah but his bird thinks it's amazing, though

So all that's left

Is the proof that love's not only blind but deaf

He talks of San Francisco, he's from Hunter's Bar

I don't quite know the distance

But I'm sure that's far

Yeah, I'm sure that's pretty far

Yeah, I'd love to tell you all my problem

You're not from New York City, you're from Rotherham

So get off the bandwagon, and put down the handbook

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Get off the bandwagon and put down the handbook

Get off the bandwagon and put down the handbook

____________

i uploaded the first minute or so of their performance of the song at Glasto - click here to watch, or simply go back one photo in my stream.

go here to listen to the album version.

Jordyn Jones posted 3 new #musicallys user: jordynjones www.jordynonline.com

habitat?

my friends are musically inclined and like to wear mickey ears.

She don't run from the sun no more, she boxed her shadow and she won

Said I can see you laugh through these bottle caps

And this wire around my neck ain't there for fun

But someday we'll all be old and I'll be so damn beautiful

And I can be me

Yeah they talk about her, she smiles like she's so tough

She says "Hey, can you talk a little louder? I don't think my heart is broken enough"

...

Some days I wade in the indigo singing that song on the radio

I blame these puddles on the rain

You know I gotta keep these cheeks dry today, gotta keep my cheating strategy

And baby I'm gonna have it made.

Anna Nalick - Paper Bag

Musically Inspired Week 10/52

Explored! Thanks! :)

March 10, 2009 - highest position: 461

_________________________________________________________________

There are days.... Sometimes I wish I could walk around in a paper bag. See no one, be seen by no one. Or rather 'look'.

There's an amazing quote by Henry David Thoreau: "It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you SEE."

I sadly haven't found anyone yet who sees Me, the real me. Or anyone who would care to see the real me. People just have this fixed picture and opinion of me that they don't seem to be able to get rid of, and it's frustrating. All the world thinking they know something about me, when in reality they don't know anything.

I get reminded of this practically every day. People I never talked to seem to think they know all about me, before they even meet me. And after a while of getting to know each other, and after proving a gazillion times that I'm not who they think I am, they still have that picture.

It sucks that a lot of people can't realise that one can actually change, and that the realisation of this has to take so damn long.

I'm far from who I used to be in 6th grade. I'm not still the exact same person as I was at the of 13. Is that so hard to comprehend?

So about the picture. This exact thing was probably done like 3.000 times, but I was in a kind of uninspired - uncreative - unmotived - sucky mood the past few days (as you might have caught in the description), I'm sorry.

I guess this is my vent. The place where I can let it all out, hoping that maybe someone would listen...

If only I had a balcony like my downstairs-neighbour....

Today's weather made me long for 'old' music. So I listened to The Beatles, The Beach Boys and The Beegees. It's a lovely sunny B-day!!

--

Project SoulPancake week 6: Playlist for People-Watching

Musically Challenged:

Here comes the sun, here comes the sun

And I say it's all right

Little darling, it's been a long cold lonely winter

Little darling, it feels like years since it's been here

Here comes the sun, here comes the sun

And I say it's all right

The Beatles ~ Here Comes The Sun

I appreciate all critiques, comments and faves. I'm here to learn!

Born in Spain, Xavier Cugat's family moved to Havana, Cuba, when he was three. Always musically inclined, he packed up and moved to Los Angeles, where he worked as a cartoonist for the Los Angeles Times newspaper during the day and labored to put together a band at night. After a few years of playing smaller clubs in the L.A. area, Cugat finally got his break when he and his band secured a job at the prestigious Coconut Grove nightclub in 1928. His style of music caught on, and Cugat was instrumental in bringing Latin music to the attention of the US public. In the '30s and '40s he was nicknamed "The Rumba King" because of his popularization of that Latin dance. In Cugat's film appearances he usually played himself, even if the character had a name other than Xavier Cugat, and he and his band appeared in several memorable MGM musicals in the '40s. After suffering a stroke in 1971, Xavier Cugat retired.

Cugat was married five times. His first marriage was to Rita Montaner (1918–1920); his second was to Carmen Castillo (1929–1944); his third to Lorraine Allen (1947–52); his fourth to singer Abbe Lane (1952–64); and his fifth to Spanish guitarist and comic actress Charo (1966–78).

Abbe Lane was born on December 14, 1932 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA as Abigail Francine Lassman. She is an actress, known for Surprising Suzie (1953), Donatella (1956) and The Bachelor (1955). She has been married to Perry Leff since December 16, 1964. She was previously married to Xavier Cugat.

She has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6381 Hollywood Boulevard for her contribution to television.

© All Rights Reserved

====================

This is a scanned image from a batch of wire photos, publicity photos, vintage snapshots, cabinet cards, CDVs and real photo postcards purchased at auction. You are welcome to pin, re-post, embed and share this image, but please do not reproduce for your personal gain or profit without my permission.

I did some small, cosmetic clean-up retouches in photoshop.

Any comments or observations are much appreciated!

And the shadow of the day

Will embrace the world in grey

And the sun will set for you~

Shadow of the Day By Linkin Park

The beautiful Marcie picked this weeks Musically Challenged songs!

silhouetted ponytail!

last song bought:"Look What You've Done" by Jet - when i first heard it i was like, "i know this!! how do i know this?! ahhhh!" and then a quick search turned up that the chorus and chords were nearly directly pilfered from "Sexy Sadie" by the Beatles and i felt quite silly to have needed google to sort that out...

last film watched: Up in the Air- excellent. loved.

last television show(s) seen: double dose of LOST and GLEE!

last book read: "American on Purpose" by Craig Ferguson - who i have a wicked crush on. his odd-ish humor plus that Scottish accent? yum.

last photos taken: loads of different shots at the Pacific Design Center (see below).

latest obsession: square crop for photos! suddenly every image looks a thousand times better in square format.

_______

for Musically Challenged:

I walk barefoot where the water drowns the sand...

With you no longer here to hold my hand,

I let go,

I let go.

"Calm Under the Waves" by Marina Mena

Look around, ain't no R.I.P. signs here

~City of Angels, by The Distillers

Musically Challenged

Today was a great day. It's mother's day, so b/c of that we had a bigger family lunch than the usual, so my house was full of laughing, noise, the tv playing, the kids screaming, the sounds of a busy kitchen, but all in all it was a great Sunday. I sort of wish I could have one more day to the weekend. Not for anything specific or b/c I need more time to do anything, but just b/c. just b/c it's been a good one, and i've needed a good one like this for a long time now.